On October 3, 1943, Gil Hodges, at the age of 19, made his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Eleven days later, Hodges joined the Marine Corps, where he would take part in the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945. For his actions there, Hodges was awarded the bronze star for heroism under fire. Discharged in 1946, Hodges would play for the Newport News Dodgers until being called back up to Brooklyn in 1947. (Sports Studio/Getty Images)